Integrated remote control unit for operating a television and a video game unit

ABSTRACT

Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for a control unit. A keypad has a plurality of keys on a housing arranged for receiving an input. A CPU generates control signals to control multiple applications based upon the input received from the keypad. A memory communicates with the CPU and stores control signal data associated with the input. A removable face plate corresponds to each application, wherein the face plate covers keys that are not activated for the corresponding application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a hand held remote controller unit, andmore particularly, to an integrated remote controller for operating atelevision and a video game player unit that is used in conjunction withthe television.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Remote control units have long been used to facilitate users' operationof televisions, video cassette recorders (VCR), home stereos, and otherassociated audio/video electronic equipment. Using wireless remotecontrol units that transmit control commands to receiver units viainfra-red (IR) signals, a user can perform a variety of operations, suchas changing the volume or channel of a television, fast forwarding orscanning a videotape in a VCR, changing a preset radio station on astereo receiver, or switching to a different track on a compact disc(CD) playing in a CD player, all from a distance away from theaudio/video equipment. Although televisions and other assortedaudio/video electronic equipment can be controlled without using aremote control, many users rely on the convenience of such hand-heldportable controllers.

As different types of audio/video equipment have become operable byremote control, a need has developed for converging the capabilities ofremote control units to control the operation of different types ofelectronic equipment by a single unit. For example, remote control unitsare commercially available that control the operation of a television,VCR, and cable television set-top box with a single controller, as inDarbee et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,959,810. Some remote control units arealso programmable to “learn” the IR transmission format for differentbrands, so that a consumer can replace the individual remote controlsintended for the consumer's different types of home audio/videoequipment with a single remote control unit. These remote control unitscan reduce the clutter and confusion associated with operating aplurality of different remote control units.

During the past few years, video game playing has become increasingpopular for home entertainment as video game designers incorporateimprovements to computerized graphics and special effects to createrealistic video games and adventure simulations. The convergence of theInternet with television programming is also expected to bring addedcapabilities for video games and interactive television. For example,consumers may soon be able to participate as a contestant in televisiongame shows, or may be able to play action or adventure games with othersin different households.

Video games are typically played using one or more hand-held controlunits that are directly connected to a video game console through awire. The controllers typically include a “joystick” or series of“up/down/left/right” buttons, and a few other “action” buttons forshooting, firing, jumping, selecting, etc. While some video game systemsare designed for all games to be playable with the same controller,others require users to obtain specially designed controllers forcertain games (e.g., a driving game may require a controller thatincludes a steering wheel). In either case, this adds at least one morecontroller that is necessary for a user to operate the components in ahome entertainment system. The user must therefore use one or moreremote control units to adjust the features of a television (e.g.,volume, picture contrast) and a connected stereo system, and then switchto a separate video game controller for video game playing. Switchingbetween separate controllers may be inconvenient or unwieldy,particularly if the user is frequently switching between controllerunits.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the difficulties described above, there is a need for amethod and apparatus for controlling the operation of both a televisionand a video gaming system with a single remote controller unit. In thepreferred embodiment of the present invention, a hand-held remotecontrol unit for controlling the operation of a television and otherelectronic audio/video components, such as a VCR, DVD player, or homestereo, operates in a different mode for use as a video game controller.The location and position of the push buttons on the remote controllerunit are arranged such that a subset of the buttons that are for thetelevision remote control are operable in a different mode as a videogame controller. A user rotates the remote control unit from a firstposition to a second position to use the remote control unit foroperating a video gaming system. For example, the first position couldbe a substantially vertical upright position, and the second positioncould be a substantially horizontal position. When used as a video gamecontroller, the controller indicates which of the subset of buttons onthe remote control are to be used for operating the video game.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a remote controlunit for controlling a plurality of electronic audio/video applications.The remote control includes a keypad arranged for receiving input tocontrol either a first electronic audio/video application when theremote control unit is accessed in a first position or a secondelectronic audio/video application when the remote control unit isaccessed in a second position. A CPU within the remote control generatescontrol signals to control an electronic audio/video application basedupon input received from the keypad. A memory is connected to the CPUfor storing control signal data associated with input received by theCPU. At least one transmitter transmits control signals from the CPU toan electronic device for controlling either the first or secondelectronic audio/video application according to the position by whichthe remote control unit is accessed.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a remotecontrol unit having a plurality of pushbuttons arranged on a housing ofthe remote control unit for operating the remote control unit in a firsthand-held position to control a first electronic device, a subset of theplurality of pushbuttons for operating the remote control unit in asecond hand-held position to control a second electronic device, a CPUfor receiving input from the pushbuttons and generating control signalsfor controlling either the first or second electronic device, and afirst and second transmitter for transmitting control signals to controlthe respective first and second electronic devices.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a remotecontrol unit having a plurality of pushbuttons arranged on a housing ofthe remote control unit for operating the remote control unit to controla first electronic device, a subset of the plurality of pushbuttons foroperating the remote control unit to control a second electronic device.A CPU receives input from the pushbuttons and generates control signalsfor controlling either the first or second electronic device. Atransmitter transmits control signals to control the respective firstand second applications. An illuminating display on the housing lightspushbuttons on the remote control unit, wherein only the subset ofpushbuttons for controlling the second application of the electronicdevice are illuminated.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method forcontrolling access to operation of video games. A controller unit isprovided to users for operating video games on video game consoles,wherein the controller unit includes a keypad with a plurality of keysfor controlling the operation of video games. Face plates are designedthat are removably attachable to the controller keypad for operatingdifferent video games, wherein each face plate covers keys on the keypadthat are unnecessary for controlling a particular video game, and theface plate provides an access code to the controller when attached tothe keypad for accessing operation of the particular video game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a remote control according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a front view of a face plate for theremote control unit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of a front view of a face plate for theremote control of FIG. 1 in a horizontal position.

FIG. 3B is a side perspective view of the remote control of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3C is a rear perspective view of the remote control of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic electrical circuit diagram of the remote controlaccording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded angular view of the remote control according to analternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic electrical circuit diagram of the remote controlaccording to the alternative embodiment of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7A is a front perspective view of a remote control unit accordingto an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of a remote control unit according to thealternative embodiment of FIG. 7A in a horizontal position.

FIG. 7C is a perspective view of a remote control unit according to thealternative embodiment of FIG. 7A in a horizontal position.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a remote control unit and adetachable face plate according to an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 9A is a detachable face plate according to the alternativeembodiment of FIG. 8.

FIG. 9B is a detachable face plate according to the alternativeembodiment of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a method andapparatus for controlling the operation of both a television and a videogaming system with a single remote controller unit.

The present invention will now be described in more detail withreference to the figures. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of remotecontroller unit 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown, the remote control unit 10 includes a housing 11and a base panel 12 with openings for receiving elastomeric pushbuttonsfor keypad 13, extending therefrom. Face plate 14 overlays a portion ofthe base panel on the outer surface thereof. The function that isassigned to each pushbutton for controlling a television or anotherelectronic audio/video component is labeled on the face plate. LEDs 15and 16 transmit infra-red (IR) signals to control a television or otheraudio/video devices.

An arrangement of pushbuttons for the remote control and the face platelabel for controlling a television and other audio/video components isshown in greater detail in FIG. 2. As can be seen, pushbuttons 21 aregrouped together as four buttons that are contiguous to one another as aset. Face plate 14 indicates that these pushbuttons control “channel up”21 a, “channel down” 21 b, “volume up” 21 c, and “volume down” 21 d.Pushbuttons 21 can be used for controlling the volume and/or the channelof a television, radio receiver, or VCR. Pushbuttons 22 are also groupedtogether as four contiguous buttons located toward the lower side of thebase panel 12. These pushbuttons control “play” 22 a, “stop/eject” 22 b,“fast forward/scan forward” 22 c, and “rewind/scan reverse” 22 d.Pushbuttons 22 can be used for operating a VCR, a DVD player, or a CDplayer.

The set of push buttons 23 control whether the remote control isoperating in a mode for controlling the television (“TV”), videocassette recorder (“VCR”), compact disc player (“CD”), digital videodisc player (“DVD”), or video game system (“Game”). As an alternative, atoggle control can be operated by a switch on the side of the remotecontroller unit.

FIG. 3A provides an orthogonal view of the remote controller unit 10.The hand-held controller is held by a user in an upright or verticalposition to control a television, VCR, CD player, or DVD player. Whenthe remote controller is used for playing video games, it is held in thehorizontal position as shown in FIG. 3A, such that the width of the unitis greater than its height. As can be seen, one of the two sets of fourcontiguous pushbuttons 21, 22 can be utilized for manipulating theposition of a character in a video game (up, down, left, right), and theother can be used to select the activities or events associated with thegame (shoot, jump, select, etc.). Depending upon the configuration ofthe game or the game console design, other keys in the keypad (e.g., thepushbuttons for the “1”, “4”, and “7” keys) may also be activated foruse when in the “game” mode.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the sides of the remote control unit whenpositioned in the horizontal position are ergonomically shaped toconform to the position of hands and fingers when playing a video game.FIG. 3C is a rear-side orthogonal view of the remote control. Theindentations in the shape of the sides of the remote control and thebump-out in the center-edge of the remote control allow the unit to beheld easily by a user in the orthogonal position.

FIG. 4 provides a schematic diagram of the operating circuitry in theremote control unit according to the present invention. The electricalcircuitry is generally of the type disclosed in O'Donnell et al., U.S.Pat. No. 5,414,426, and in FIG. 9 of Darbee et al., U.S. Pat. No.4,959,810, the disclosure of both of which are incorporated herein byreference. Remote control 10 includes a microprocessor 41, whichincludes central processing unit (CPU) 42 and memory including RAM 43and ROM 44. Keypad 13 is connected to CPU 42 by an interrupt line 45 aand a bus 45 b. A battery power supply 46 also connects to CPU 42.Backup battery 47 maintains the data in RAM memory 43. The output of theCPU 42 is connected to one or more LEDs and lamp drivers 48, whichtransmits an infra-red signal to infra-red receivers on the electronicaudio/video components to be controlled, as shown by LEDs 15 and 16 inFIG. 1. When the remote control held in a vertical position for use incontrolling a television, VCR, DVD player, CD player, etc., the IR LampDriver Circuit 48 drives LED 49 a, located at the top edge of the remotecontrol unit. When the remote control is held in the horizontal positionfor controlling a game console, the lamp driver 48 drives LED 49 b,which is located along the side edge of the remote control unit. The twoLEDs are positioned such that the infra red light will be directedtoward a receiver in an entertainment console unit. The relativepositioning of the two LEDs, 51 a and 51 b on a circuit board 50 for aremote controller unit is shown in FIG. 5.

The operating programs for the remote control 10 that are stored in RAM43 and ROM 44 are similar to the operating programs disclosed in U.S.Pat. Nos. 4,959,810 and 5,414,426, with the exception of the video gameoperation and programming for selectively illuminating the operativekeys, as will be described below.

When a user presses the pushbutton 23 for “Game,” CPU 42 receives asignal to load the keypad configuration for the remote control unit fromROM 44 for the video game mode. As described with reference to FIG. 3A,pushbutton sets 21 and 22 may be activated in this mode, and, dependingupon the particular configuration, the pushbuttons for “1”, “4” and “7”also may be activated. Correspondingly, if pushbutton “2” is depressedin the video game mode, the CPU will ignore this activity. By holdingthe remote control in the orthogonal direction and using the selectedsubset of pushbuttons designated for the video game mode, a user can usethe remote controller unit for playing video games or for participatingin interactive television. On the right side of the controller, thepushbuttons of pushbutton set 21 are labeled “Up” 21 a, “Down” 21 b,“Left” 21 c, and “Right” 21 d, above the top of the pushbuttons. As canbe seen, the commands for controlling a television, namely, “ChannelUp,” “Channel Down,” “Volume Up,” and “Volume Down,” are now shown tothe side of the pushbuttons. On the left side of the controller, thepushbuttons of pushbutton set 22 are labeled “Fire” 21 a, “Jump” 21 b,“Walk” 21 c, and “Run” 21 d, above the top of the pushbuttons.

In a first alternative embodiment, the remote controller of the presentinvention selectively illuminates the pushbuttons that are operative forthe designated mode. In the “game” mode, the only buttons that areilluminated are those for pushbutton sets 21 and 22, and perhaps thepushbuttons for the “1”, “4”, and “7” keys. Assuming that the remotecontrol is being used in a darkened room, only the illuminated keys willbe viewable by the user. Even in a normally lighted room, theilluminated keys will be more easily viewable by the user.

The configuration of LEDs for selectively illuminating a subset of thepushbuttons on the remote control is shown in FIG. 5. The remotecontroller unit is constructed of a circuit board 50, an insulatingplate/light separator 55, a contact plate 58, a pushbutton plate 60, alower housing 62 and an upper face plate 65. Above the lower housingcasing 66, circuit board 50 is imprinted with a plurality of contacts 53that are positioned directly beneath the remote control pushbuttons. Thecircuit board additionally includes four LEDs, 54 a, 54 b, 54 c, and 54d, which protrude from the circuit board and are connected with lightingcircuits on the circuit board. The circuit board additionally includesan LED 51 a at the tip of the remote control unit and a second LED 51 bat a side edge of the unit, each for transmitting IR signals to areceiver.

An insulating plate 55 with holes 56 is positioned directly above thecircuit board 50. The insulating plate includes three separator walls,57 a, 57 b, and 57 c. The separator walls surround a subset of theplurality of holes 56, and block any light emitted from LEDs 54 a, 54 b,54 c, and 54 d from penetrating beyond the holes encircled by the walls.Contact plate 58 is positioned directly above the insulating plate 55and has a plurality of contacts 61 to electrically contact with contacts53 on the circuit board 50.

A translucent pushbutton projection fixing, locating or guiding plate 60with holes 61 is positioned above the contact plate 58. Transparent ortranslucent plate 62 is then seated on the pushbutton fixing plate 60,and has a plurality of pushbutton protrusions 63 that extend upwardlythrough holes in the upper casing 65.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the microprocessor 41 of FIG. 4 withadditionally connected circuitry for providing illumination within theremote controller unit 10, for use in an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention. When the pushbutton marked as “Games” is depressed onkeypad 13, contact 66 electrically contacts the corresponding contact onthe circuit board, sending a signal through interrupt line 45 a and bus45 b to CPU 42 to load the “game mode” configuration from ROM 44. CPU 42then retrieves an instruction from CPU 42 to drive a subset of LEDbacklights 68 a, 68 b, 68 c, or 68 d to illuminate activated pushbuttonsthat correspond with the “game mode.” Because the separator walls 57 a,57 b, and 57 c, on the insulating plate 55 prevent the light emittedfrom the LEDs from penetrating beyond the selected pushbuttons, theremote controller unit 10 of an alternative embodiment present inventionselectively illuminates only those pushbuttons 63 that are activated forthe “game mode.”

It is also possible to configure CPU 42 and ROM 44 to send instructionsto illuminate only certain pushbuttons when the remote controller unitis used in other modes. For example, the pushbuttons for “play” 22 a,“stop/eject” 22 b, “fast forward” 22 c, and “rewind” 22 d, are notactive when the remote control is used to control the features of atelevision. Accordingly, the remote control can be configured such thatthese translucent push buttons are not illuminated when the remotecontrol is in the “TV” mode.

As another alternative embodiment, the remote controller unit caninclude an LCD display above or beside each pushbutton, and can beprogrammed to display a descriptive indicator for each pushbutton thatis activated. The LCD display can be backlit for clearer illumination ina darkened room. The LCD display may be used in conjunction with aseries of push-buttons (e.g., above or below the actual buttons), or maybe used as a display beneath a touchscreen surface, to be operated bypressing fingers against the screen or a special pointer device, as inmany conventional personal digital assistant devices (PDA's) such as thePalm Pilot™ systems.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C provide an illustration of a remote control unitconfigured within a multi-function, personal digital assistant. As shownin FIG. 7A, the LCD display provides a touch screen display for atelevision/VCR remote control, to be operated in the upright position.In FIG. 7B, different text is displayed within the LCD display,perpendicular to the text displayed in FIG. 7A to control a game consolewhen the unit is held in the horizontal position. FIG. 7C illustrates anexample in which different text is provided on the left-side of thedisplay for use in controlling the operation of a different type ofgame. In this “karate” game, the “fire,” “walk,” and “run” input keysare replaced with “duck,” “kick,” and “punch.”

As an alternative embodiment to selectively illuminating the activatedpushbuttons, the remote control system can be designed to be fitted withremovable face plates that expose only the activated pushbuttons forparticular modes of operation for the remote control. FIG. 8 illustratesa removable face plate 80 to be affixed to remote control 10. As can beseen, the face plate 80 has a plurality of holes 81 that exposepushbuttons for only a selected subset of pushbuttons on remote control10. The face plate 80 also contains text or graphics imprinted above orbeside the holes to indicate the purpose or function of the exposed pushbuttons when in operation. The face plate 80 connects to the remotecontrol 10 through a series of connectors 82, which attach to slots 83at both sides of the remote control 10 on the housing such that the faceplate is removably affixed to the remote controller unit. Accordingly,when the face plate 80 is attached to the remote control 10, the remotecontrol appears such that the remote control is designed exclusively foruse for the video gaming system.

In another alternative embodiment, the face plate 81 can have aprotrusion on the underside of the face plate body, shown in phantomlines as element 84, to press against the “Games” pushbutton 85 and loadthe ROM 43 code for activating the pushbuttons for controlling the gameconsole. In such a system, the CPU may be configured to require the“Games” pushbutton to be continually depressed, as would occur when theface plate 80 is affixed to the remote control unit 10.

Face plates can also be designed to be interchangeable to accommodatethe play of different types of games in the game console. For example,while the face plate shown in FIG. 8 may be appropriate for a “karate”or martial arts-type of action game, the “jump,” “kick,” “duck,” and“punch” keys may not be appropriate for other types of games. Therefore,a different type of face plate may be available for purchase for eachtype of video game.

FIG. 9A provides an illustration of a face plate that may be suitablefor play for a driving/racing-type of game. Some of the pushbuttons thatare active for the “karate” game illustrated with reference to faceplate 80 in FIG. 8 are not utilized for the racing game that uses faceplate 90. The face plate 90 is also labeled differently to reflect thedifferences in how the game is played. FIG. 9B provides anotherillustration of a face plate that is suitable for playing a differenttype of game. In this case, face plate 91 is configured for playing atelevision-style quiz-show.

Face plates 90 and 91 as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B additionally include aseries of protrusions on the underside of the face plate body, inaddition to the protrusion 84 that depresses the “Games” pushbutton whenconnected to the remote controller unit. These additional protrusionsmay serve two possible purposes. These protrusions may activate a codeto the CPU 42 to indicate the type of game that is to be played, so thatthe CPU can retrieve the appropriate code from memory to activate theproper pushbuttons. Secondly, the code may required by the CPU as anaccess mechanism. By requiring a code, a user can only play game forwhich he has the appropriate face plate. In this manner, the gamemanufacturer can reduce the instances of software piracy, by requiring auser to purchase a face plate before playing a game.

Accordingly, the remote controller unit of the present invention allowsa user to control a television, several other types of electronicaudio/video equipment, and a game console, all with a single remotecontroller unit. The pushbuttons on the remote controller unit can beselectively illuminated to indicate the pushbuttons that are activatedin each mode of operation of the controller. The remote controller unitcan also be configured within a touchscreen LCD display, in which thetext within the graphical keypad changes for each mode. Finally, theremote controller unit can be configurable with one or several types ofremovably fixable face plates. These face plates can indicate theassignment of particular push buttons on the remote controller unit fora game, and provide an access code required by the CPU in order to gainaccess and play a game.

The foregoing disclosure of embodiments of the present invention andspecific examples illustrating the present invention have been presentedfor purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed.Many variations and modifications of the embodiments described hereinwill be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of theabove disclosure. The scope of the invention is to be defined only bythe claimed appended hereto, and by their equivalents.

1. A control unit, comprising: a processor generating control signals tocontrol multiple applications based upon an orientation of the controlunit, wherein a first hand-held position controls operation of a firstapplication and a second hand-held position controls operation of asecond application; and memory communicating with the processor andstoring control data associated with the control signals.
 2. The controlunit according to claim 1, further comprising means for receiving aninput to the control unit.
 3. The control unit according to claim 1,further comprising a keypad having a plurality of keys for receiving aninput to the control unit.
 4. The control unit according to claim 1,further comprising a removable face plate attaching to the control unitthat corresponds to each application, wherein the face plate covers keyson the control unit that are not activated for the correspondingapplication.
 5. The control unit according to claim 1, furthercomprising a removable face plate attaching to the control unit thatcorresponds to each application, wherein the face plate exposes keysthat are activated for the corresponding application.
 6. The controlunit according to claim 5, wherein the face plate comprises text orgraphics that indicate a purpose or function of an exposed key.
 7. Thecontrol unit according to claim 5, wherein the face plate comprises ahole that exposes a button.
 8. The control unit according to claim 5,further comprising a connector that connects the face plate to thecontrol unit.
 9. The control unit according to claim 5, wherein the faceplate comprises a protrusion that depresses a key.
 10. The control unitaccording to claim 5, wherein the face plate comprises a protrusion thatdepresses a key that sends a code to the processor.
 11. The control unitaccording to claim 1, further comprising pushbuttons that are activatedin the second hand-held position.
 12. The control unit according toclaim 1, wherein the first handheld position controls operation of atelevision, and the second handheld position controls operation of avideo game system.
 13. A control unit, comprising: a processorgenerating control signals to control multiple applications based uponan orientation of the control unit, wherein a first hand-held positioncontrols operation of a first application and an orthogonal, secondhand-held position controls operation of a second application; andmemory communicating with the processor and storing control dataassociated with the control signals
 14. The control unit according toclaim 13, further comprising means for receiving an input to the controlunit.
 15. The control unit according to claim 13, further comprising aremovable face plate for the first application that exposes keys on akeypad that are activated for the first application and covers keys thatare unnecessary for the first application.
 16. The control unitaccording to claim 13, further comprising means for transmitting signalsfrom the control unit.
 17. The control unit according to claim 13,further comprising a keypad having a plurality of keys for receiving aninput to the control unit.
 18. The control unit according to claim 13,further comprising a removable face plate attaching to the control unitthat corresponds to each application, wherein the face plate exposeskeys that are activated for the corresponding application.
 19. Thecontrol unit according to claim 18, wherein the face plate comprisestext or graphics that indicate a purpose or function of an exposed key.20. The control unit according to claim 18, further comprising aconnector that connects the face plate to the control unit.